Can menopause cause widespread musculoskeletal and joint pain, including central sensitisation?

[101trees]

I've had some really awful issues with chronic musculoskeletal pain, mainly back and pelvis, over the last few years.

But now it seems like it's also leg, shoulder, joints in my hands... everything really!

I'm under a hospital pain clinic, they say central nervous system issues have a role. But I recently read something about joint and muscular pain being a menopause issue.

Is it common ? Can it be really incapacitating sometimes?

I'm wondering if hormones might be behind the central nervous system issues. Nothing conventional seems to have worked to improve anything.

PS - I'm weirded out that AI has autocorrected my title to something sensible and coherent.

Thanks, that's helpful to hear that exercise has improved things for you. I'm about to try the same.

I think they are right about the central nervous system thing, but I was interested to read that estrogen has a role in pain sensitivity.

The MSK pain all started around the same time as the menopause symptoms for me. There's something about the fluctuating level of it that reminds me of fluctuating hormones. I can't tie it together directly like I can flushes to phases in my cycle, but there's something similar.

Might just be clutching at straws and seeing things which aren't there.

Are you me? I also have some other symptoms e.g. extremely dry eyes. Going through a very bad flare up at the moment. Waiting appointment with pain clinic and rheumatology. Seriously thinking of hypnotherapy as I had great success with a phobia using hypnotherapy. I am a bit hesitant though.

All my old injuries seem to hurt again. Interesting to hear about HRT dose. I think I might be on a low dose although I did have some bleeding (fully investigated) which probably make me and doc cautious but inspired by you I might ask doc to do blood tests. I was diagnosed with adenyosis recently which will explain the very painful periods I get and I wonder if it might be a factor in this bad pain now. I also have widespread osteoarthritis.